Asylum Lake cleanup and park projects: volunteer wrap, spillway work, Forberg Park construction pending approval

Kalamazoo — Committee members reported several parks and open-space activities including a volunteer cleanup and tree-wrapping at Asylum Lake, erosion-related spillway trail repairs by Western Michigan University, and pending construction elements at Forberg Park.

John Cruiser, covering Asylum Lake updates for the committee, said a community cleanup is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m., with volunteers asked to meet at the Drake parking area for central access. Volunteers will wrap select hardwood trees with chicken wire to deter beaver damage and assist with trash pickup, Cruiser said.

Cruiser noted that Western will complete spillway-trail repairs to address erosion, and ongoing invasive species management will continue once or twice a year. He described Asylum Lake as the largest green space in the city (not city-owned) and encouraged volunteers to participate in stewardship activities.

Parks and recreation updates noted that MLK Park has new volunteer adoptions, the Arcadia Creek Festival Place redesign committee discussed using a future completed phase for a major fundraising gala, and that Forberg Park construction is pending permanent approval and is expected to include a pump track, a kayak launch and shelter upgrades.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to include more detail about parks’ invasive-species work in minutes so the public can see education and restoration activities.